Teddy Bear Puppies for Sale in Gainesville, FL
Our Teddy Bears can be hand-delivered right to your door.
Teddy Bear Puppy Breeder Serving Gainesville, FL
Teddy Bear puppies, also called Shicons and Zuchons can be delivered right to your home
A small companion cross at eight to fifteen pounds, the Teddy Bear is raised at The Puppy Lodge with health-tested parents and ENS on every puppy. The cross of a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise produces a calm indoor dog. The hot, humid summers and mild, sunny winters of Gainesville, FL affects the breed mostly through summer humidity, when AC apartments and short outings keep the dog comfortable. This breed is also called a Shichon by some buyers. See our available Teddy Bear puppies for sale, with safe ground delivery from Central Ohio to your area.
What Gainesville Families Say About Our Teddy Bear Puppies
Our Teddy Bears Available In Gainesville, FL
All of our puppies can be delivered to Gainesville
Owning a Teddy Bear in Gainesville
A Teddy Bear in Gainesville settles into a daily routine built around the heat and city life. About 20 to 30 minutes of exercise is plenty, split between a sunrise sidewalk walk and an evening stroll once temperatures drop. AC handles the worst afternoon hours, which Teddies prefer anyway because the shorter Shih Tzu muzzle slows cooling. The wavy or curly coat picks up humidity, so brushing several times a week and a shorter summer trim keep things manageable. Apartments, condos, and family houses all work in FL, with the dog spending most of the day inside near people. A fenced yard isn't required in a city. The dog rides quietly in a car, fits taxi seats, and is welcome at hardware stores, patios, and most dog-allowing stops around town at cooler hours. Retired couples and seniors in city apartments often pick the breed because the daily routine doesn't ask for much physical effort, and the dog handles long indoor stretches without getting restless. Eight to fifteen pounds is light enough to handle easily but heavy enough that the dog doesn't seem fragile around grandkids and visitors.
Why Gainesville Families Choose The Puppy Lodge for Their Teddy Bear
Teddy Bears are one of the most gentle, people-oriented breeds you can find, and that sweet temperament is exactly why so many families, seniors, and first-time dog owners are drawn to them. But that naturally affectionate personality still needs to be nurtured from day one. A Teddy Bear puppy that isn’t handled regularly can become timid or clingy. Our kids are in with the puppies every day from the time they’re born, holding them, carrying them, and getting them used to the sounds and activity of a family. With seven kids giving them daily attention, our Teddy Bear puppies grow up confident and social, which is why so many of them go on to be wonderful therapy and emotional support dogs.
Teddy Bears are a designer breed, a beautiful cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise, and the quality of that cross depends entirely on the parent dogs. All of our breeding dogs are healthy and genetically tested before they ever have a litter. We know what we’re producing, and we stand behind every puppy with a 3-year health guarantee. Our vet at Danville Veterinary Clinic visits our kennel every week, and we’re certified through the Purdue University Canine Care Program, one of the few breeders in the country who can say that.
Every puppy goes through Early Neurological Stimulation between days 3 and 16, which strengthens cardiovascular development, builds stress tolerance, and improves immune response. For a smaller breed that can sometimes be sensitive to new environments, ENS helps them adapt more quickly and settle into their new home with less stress.
Our puppies are raised in our climate-controlled kennel, with heated tile floors in winter and geothermal cooling in summer. Our adults and puppies have large outdoor play areas on our five-acre farm in Central Ohio. We’re a family of nine with over 13 years of experience raising dogs, and we love what we do. Every puppy comes up to date on vaccinations, dewormed, microchipped, and with a blanket carrying mom’s scent. We welcome visitors by appointment and deliver puppies nationwide right to your door.
About Teddy Bears (Shichon, Zuchon)
The Teddy Bear, sometimes called the Shichon or Zuchon, is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise. Most stand 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh 8 to 15 pounds full grown. The breed was developed in the United States in the early 2000s, aiming to pair the Bichon’s cheerful disposition with the Shih Tzu’s affectionate temperament in a smaller package. Teddy Bears are adorable, social little dogs. They’re patient with kids, generally comfortable around other pets, and frequently work as therapy dogs thanks to how readily they pick up on people’s moods. They’re bright and learn commands quickly, though the Shih Tzu in them will occasionally be stubborn during training. Their biggest selling point for many owners is the low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, which is nice for allergy-prone homes. The coat comes in wavy or curly varieties and needs brushing several times a week, plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks to prevent matting. Energy demands are modest, two short walks a day plus some indoor play will usually do it. That low-key disposition and small build suits them to apartments, smaller homes, and quieter households, and they’re a particularly common pick for older owners. With routine vet care, Teddy Bears typically live 12 to 16 years. As a crossbreed, they tend to avoid some of the inherited conditions that affect their purebred parents, though responsible breeding still matters more than crossbreeding alone.
| Breed Type | Designer hybrid, Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise cross |
|---|---|
| Also known As | Teddy Bear, Shichon, Zuchon |
| Height | 9 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 8 to 15 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years |
| Coat Type | Wavy to curly, medium length, double coat |
| Shedding | Very low, hypoallergenic |
| Energy Level | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | 20 to 30 minutes daily |
| Trainability | Good, responds well to positive reinforcement |
| Good With Kids | Yes |
| Good With Other Pets | Yes |
| Temperament | Affectionate, gentle, playful, social, loyal |
How Puppy Delivery Works To Gainesville, Florida
The easiest way to get your Teddy Bear puppy home to Gainesville is through our professional flight nanny service. Your puppy flies in-cabin with a dedicated handler right into your nearest airport, right beside the handler the entire way. We also offer climate-controlled ground transport by delivery van if you prefer a door-to-door option. Since Gainesville is about 14 to 16 hours hours from our kennel in Ohio, an in-person pickup is a bigger commitment, but you’re always welcome to visit by appointment if you’d like to meet your puppy’s parents and see our operation firsthand.
Once your Teddy Bear puppy is reserved, our team will reach out to schedule delivery to Gainesville. Every puppy receives a final vet check before delivery. Ground deliveries depart each Tuesday morning, so just reserve and schedule by noon on Monday to make that week’s delivery. Whether your puppy arrives by delivery van or flight nanny, most families have their new puppy in their arms within just 4 days.
1. Flight Nanny Delivery
You can have your Teddy Bear puppy flown into a nearby commercial airport by a professional puppy flight nanny. Your puppy will sit right next to the flight nanny the entire flight and will never be stored with cargo or luggage. As with ground transport, your puppy will be cared for and looked after until you can pick them up at the airport. This option is more expensive but gets your puppy to you as quickly as possible. We can deliver to your nearest airport, including Gainesville Regional Airport, and Northeast Florida Regional Airport.
2. Ground Transport
We use a professional puppy delivery service to deliver your Teddy Bear puppy via a climate-controlled delivery van. These vans are temperature-controlled, and the puppies are well cared for on their journey to your home in Gainesville, Florida. This is our most popular delivery option, giving your puppy a safe, calm ride right to your door.
3. In-Person Pickup at Our Kennel
If you are willing to make the trip, you can come right to our home and kennel to pick up your Teddy Bear puppy yourself. This option lets you meet the puppy, their parents, and see our kennel in person. We openly welcome visitors by appointment and love showing people our breeding operation so they can see for themselves why we are a step above your average breeder.
Teddy Bear Climate Fit in Gainesville, FL
| Region | North Florida |
|---|---|
| County | Alachua County |
| Local Climate | hot, humid summers and mild, sunny winters |
| January Average High | 66°F |
| July Average High | 91°F |
| Annual Snowfall | a few inches |
| Annual Rainfall | 52.2 inches |
| Sunny Days Per Year | 224 |
| Elevation | 194 ft |
| Near | Paynes Prairie uplands |
Twenty to thirty minutes of activity a day covers a Teddy Bear's exercise needs, and city life in Gainesville fits that comfortably. Sidewalk walks, time in a nearby park, and short outings near Paynes Prairie uplands all count toward the daily total. The breed doesn't need long off-leash sessions and is content with two short walks plus indoor time. That matters in a city where green space is at a premium and longer off-leash runs often mean driving out of town.
Hot humid weather shapes when that exercise happens. Cool-hour walks replace midday outings in summer since the breed's slower cooling makes the heat harder to handle. Indoor time during peak afternoon hours suits the breed, and AC handles the heat. When heat limits outdoor time, indoor play picks up. Several brushings a week keep humidity from settling into the wavy or curly coat and creating tangles. A shorter summer trim helps with comfort through the hottest stretches of the year.
Local Dog Parks and Trails
Getting outside with a Teddy Bear in Gainesville stays simple. The area has dog parks and short walking spots that fit the breed's pace and preference for social time over distance.
One of the best things owners can do with a Teddy Bear is build in regular outings around other dogs and people. The breed is naturally friendly, and consistent exposure to new places in Gainesville keeps that trait strong as the dog grows up.
Dog Parks
Depot Park Dog Area, 200 SE Depot Ave, Gainesville
Prairie View Dog Area, 3400 SW 34th St, Gainesville
Walking Trails
Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, 3400 SE 15th St, Gainesville
Depot Park Trail, 200 SE Depot Ave, Gainesville
Serving Families Throughout the Greater Gainesville, Florida Area
If you’re searching for Teddy Bear puppies for sale near Gainesville, we deliver to communities all across the surrounding region. Families in nearby cities and towns have the same access to our breeding program, our 3-year health guarantee, and our door-to-door delivery. No matter where you’re located, your puppy comes to you. We proudly deliver Teddy Bear puppies to North Florida, including Lake City FL, Alachua FL, Newberry FL, High Springs FL, Watertown FL, Williston FL, Manatee Road FL, Chiefland FL, Trenton FL, Williston Highlands FL, East Bronson FL, Cross City FL, Keystone Heights FL, Hawthorne FL, Interlachen FL, Five Points FL, Archer FL, Bronson FL, Fanning Springs FL, Waldo FL, Steinhatchee FL, Raleigh FL, Branford FL, East Williston FL, Andrews FL, Micanopy FL, Fort White FL, Hampton FL, Bell FL, and McIntosh FL.
We raise more than just Teddy Bear puppies. See all of our breeds and puppies in Gainesville.